New EU-6 engines are up to 21 percent more fuel efficient than outgoing mills

New infotainment and assistance systems also among new features

First of the new lineup available beginning spring 2014

We don't get the Volkswagen Polo front-wheel-drive subcompact here in the United States (hailed as a "supermini" in some circles), but for many a motorsports fan the platform should be instantly associated with the automaker's current works effort in the World Rally Championship. It's also recognizable as one of the planet's best-selling cars in its segment, with nearly 14 million units produced. And today, VW announced the successor to the Polo Mk5 lineup, the Mk6, which looks to have received a slew of revisions, including new power plants, new infotainment and assistance technology, and an update to the mini's exterior and interior cosmetics.

Motivating the new Polo are a variety of EU-6 engines, principally 1.0- and 1.2-liter normally aspirated and turbocharged petrol mills and a 1.4-liter turbo diesel motor in three flavors. VW says the Polo TDI in particular has achieved fuel economy improvements of as much as 21 percent, making it one of the most fuel efficient cars anywhere.

Further performance enhancements include a new electro-mechanical servo steering system for better steering characteristics and new optional Sport Select suspension ? that uses electronically controlled dampers ? so that drivers can choose between two tuning characteristics at the press of a button. Assistance systems from the Golf have found their way to the new Polo, including standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System (automatically initiates braking after a collision), Driver Alert System, Front Assist ambient traffic monitoring system with City Emergency Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). An optional Rear Assist rearview camera is available as well.

More Golf trickles into the new Polo's infotainment setups. Depending on version, systems may offer functions such as Bluetooth audio streaming (with a smart phone, including cover display and touchscreen control), a proximity sensor (other menu details are shown when hand approaches the screen), two-finger map zooming in navigation mode (like on a smart phone) and interfacing of mobile phones to the vehicle's exterior antenna by inductive coupling. All four systems can be equipped with digital radio reception (DAB+). In addition, special smart phone apps can be accessed on the touchscreen via MirrorLink.

As far as looks, new exterior features on the next Polo include new head- and taillight designs, redesigned front bumper and larger lower air intake, and new chrome trim pieces. Those headlights are now LED for top version Polo, and VW offers tons of flexibility in the wheel and body color departments; a grand sum of 10 different rim designs in 15-, 16- and 17-inch sizes are available, as well as eight new colors, for a total of 15. The cabin as also been upgraded with Golf-style steering wheel, a new instrument cluster and a redesigned center console.

The next-gen. Polo hits the market this spring, with first deliveries in Germany where the car will be offered at the same selling price as the previous model; most other countries will follow thereafter. Along with the basic versions - Trendline, Comfortline and Highline - the Polo will also be offered as a GTI, BlueGT, CrossPolo and BlueMotion model. At the Polo's launch, VW is also introducing an exclusively equipped model in Europe: the Polo "Fresh." This high-end limited edition will be offered in five body colors, with exclusive equipment features and a two-tone interior.